Blog: Friday 4th October 2024 - Capsticks, Corporate Partner

What does the Grenfell Inquiry Report mean for Social Housing Landlords?

The Grenfell Public Inquiry has published its 1,700 page report, by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, into the disaster of the Grenfell Tower fire. The report found that all parties bore some responsibility for the blaze. From the companies making the cladding; to the architects who put it together; to the Landlord (the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC)). It identifies failures occurring over decades that ultimately contributed to the fire, including “systematic dishonesty” on the part of the makers of the cladding and insulation products. In its wake, social housing landlords should expect to see continued reform increasing the responsibility of landlords.

The TMO administered the tower on behalf of RBKC, and ran the £10m refurbishment, which showed “persistent indifference to fire safety, particularly the safety of vulnerable people”. From the evidence of the core participants, it was clear that disrepair, safety and concerns about the wellbeing of residents were dealt with in a very offhand manner: the TMO was found to be consistently ignoring residents. Moore-Bick noted two “penetrating” reports years before the fire which found significant failings including “resident’s lack of trust” – but said the TMO learnt nothing. This is a grave criticism of an organisation which was there to support and represent tenant’s interests.

Where does that leave us in the future? Kier Starmer promised that the Government would respond to the report recommendations within six months, and expressed his regret that we live in, “a country where tenants of a social housing block in one of the richest parts of the land are treated like second class citizens.” Sir Richard Blakeway, the Housing Ombudsman, said: “This report will have huge significance with the way housing operates in the future. But it must also act as a moment of reflection for the whole country.” Blakeway went on to add: “Integral to these findings are respect and trust – and the principles of transparency and accountability.”

The new Social Housing Regulation Act is aimed at delivering the changes the report has raised, and has already been in force since April of this year. The Act created far reaching statutory powers for the independent Regulator and the Ombudsman, which allow them to investigate Landlords, and in particular how they deliver services that meet the residents’ needs and responsibly maintain social homes in a way that ensures tenant interests are met.

At this stage, it is clear that there is strong pressure on Social Landlords to be accountable to their tenants. One fundamental action will be to make sure there is a robust complaints system in place and any issues of disrepair or health & safety are dealt with swiftly.

At Capsticks we have teams that can assist on the issues raised by the Grenfell report. The Housing Management team deals with disrepair, but also advises on how policies can be implemented, so that the Landlord complies with their obligations and needs of the tenant are met.

Daniel Fitzpatrick, Legal Director, Capsticks